How can I get a cheap gun?

If you don't want to use it --- you won't know how to use it should the need arise. Under those circumstances, a baseball bat would be cheaper and safer for all concerned.

At the very least, you should take a gun safety course where you learn about (1) the differences between a handgun, a rifle, and a shotgun; (2) phenomenon like recoil and over-penetration; (3) the difference between self-defense and being charged with murder; and (4) becoming sufficiently proficient such that a firearms doesn't constitute a personal safety risk.

A cheap firearm is like a cheap parachute. I wouldn't bet my life on one.

If I can find it, I have one that I would take $5 for. I found it in an old trash pile. The wood is all gone, the chamber won't open, and the gun is a nice pitted rust color. The bore is plugged up with something that won't wash out. It would be as good as any other gun for home defense if you don't practice with a better gun.

Holy Underwear, Batman...you want a gun....you don't care what it is....you don't even want to use it....but you can't can't can't live without one ? Ya know....that story has more than a few holes in it ....but what the hell....you got an honest face. Tell ya what....you know that 7-11 about 3 blocks from your place ? Bring lots of cash and meet me there about 6 o'clock tonight. I have a rare Webley / Vickers 50-80 sitting around, gathering dust. I can let you have it for....bbbbeeeeeeeeee!!!!

Academy sells the Taurus TCP 738- a small pocket pistol in 380 for $199 + tax.

They sell the Turkish C-100 in 9mm for $329..also the Taurus Mil Pro for $329.

12 and 20 ga pumps for $189 and up.

How the flink do you think the gun will protect you if you don't use it? While you're at it, get a Porsche 911 Turbo but don't drive it.

Your best bet is to buy an aluminum baseball bat or a 10" cast iron skillet. A crowbar may also be effective.

If you don't want to use the gun, don't own one. A gun is not a remote control for humans -- it is a tool which requires practice to become proficient with. If you are not intending or willing to become proficient, all you're doing is providing a free gun to a bad guy.

So don't get one.

If, however, you are honestly talking about protecting yourself with it, a pump shotgun is a good choice if you have a place you can learn how to use it.

Not going to be much protection if you don't shoot it. Can buy a cheap Turkish 20ga shotgun for about $200. Might find a Russian Moisin Nagant for $165.

Go to a local, reputable gun range that rents pistols. Take a safety course. And/or contact the NRA for some shooting and safety lessons. Then try a variety of them. read and learn more. Along the way, one of them will stand out to you as being the right one for you.

The cheapest one would probably be a 20 gauge single-shot shotgun. I wouldn't recommend a 12 gauge, too much recoil for your experience and willingness to get used to it. A pump action will give you faster repeat shots, usually up to five. A single shot can be reloaded fairly quickly if you practice with it and have the shells available in an easy or quick process, like a couple between your fingers on your non-trigger hand, in a pocket or on the side of the gun in a holder.

Heavy bird shot, like 4 or 6 is what I would have in some homes. I would also have 00 buck & slugs for it.

Then a revolver with a swing out cylinder for faster reloads and a 4 to 6 inch barrel. I would not get a semi-auto pistol also for the same reason as your lack or experience and how long the pistol may sit unused. Magazines should be cycled periodically when they are fully loaded. Maybe a 38 special, full sized to reduce recoil would be a better fit for you. If you get a 357 mag you can load it with 38 special, and then if you ever get to shooting it more and want more power, then it is available. If you need less kick then I would look at a 22mag (WMR); this would be more affordable to shoot, and the ammo takes up less room.

Once you get some more info and training, you may have more specific questions.

Also store your gun so it doesn't rust and is away from children and others who you may not want to access it.

I would not save money by buying the cheapest gun that may fail. I would go to reputable gun dealers who can keep an eye out for one that you would like and buy a used one to save money. They will probably have some in stock, but some will sell you almost anything if you are not educated on what you want.

Some reading and videos...

BBTI: Ballistics by the inch --pistols & .223

http://www.ballisticsbytheinch.com/scope.html

BrassFetcher: bullet performance in ballistic gelatin

http://www.brassfetcher.com/

One-shot-stop database

http://www.handloads.com/misc/stoppingpower.asp

The Best Home Defense Gun

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xMUJC4GZFQ

Recommended Shotguns

http://www.chuckhawks.com/recommended_shotguns.htm

What Is the Best Type of Shotgun for Me?

http://www.chuckhawks.com/best_shotgun_type.htm

Killing the Shotgun Recoil Monster, pads: Limbsaver, Kick-Eez, Pachmayr Decelerator

http://www.chuckhawks.com/shotgun_recoil_monster.h...

Shotgun Information

http://www.chuckhawks.com/index2c.shotguns.htm

http://www.chuckhawks.com/index2b.handguns.htm

http://www.chuckhawks.com/handgun_stopping_power.h...

You're a real piece of work. You don't know a fu©king thing about firearms, and you come stumbling in here wanting "a cheap gun."

What the fu©k are we supposed to think about that? Are you a moron, a criminal, or both?

Look stupid, you don't even know enough to know what you don't know. Why don't you go to gunbroker or something and figure out what guns cost before coming here and asking something so fu©king asinine as to make me wonder why your parents didn't just use a rubber.

You are a fu©king accident waiting to happen. You do not have the knowledge required to operate a firearm safely. You do not have the understanding of firearms to even know where to purchase one appropriately, and you Sure As Fu©k don't have enough money to buy a decent one.

Go to a library and read a fu©king book. Read a lot of fu©king books, actually, on firearms. Learn something about them.

So far, your agenda is: Gunbroker, Reading Fu©king Books.

Once you have done these two things, maybe, Just Maybe, you may be in a position to ask a question that doesn't resemble you playing the @ss trumpet.

Well rush right out and plunk you money down on a Hi Point, Cobra, Jennings, Davis, Bryco or Jimenez pistol. Most likely well under $200 bucks